MECHANISMS OF OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA INDUCED BY ISOCYANATES

Isocyanates are some of the most important low molecular weight chemic als associated with occupational asthma, These compounds are often vol atile and they are highly reactive on mucous membranes, especially the conjunctivae and respiratory tract. Despite numerous data derived fro m experimental and clinical investigations, there is no agreement conc erning the real mechanisms involved in isocyanate-induced occupational asthma, In fact, the cause of occupational asthma is multifactorial. The aim of this paper is to review the involved physiological causes o f isocyanate-induced asthma; the main mechanisms are immunological, ph armacological and/or irritative. (C) 1998 British Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.